Balloon embedded stenting: A novel technique for percutaneous coronary intervention of bifurcation lesions, experience in Indian population

BACKGROUND: Bifurcation lesions account for 15–20% of interventions carried out in a catheterization laboratory. Several techniques have been described for treating bifurcation lesions of which culotte and T-stenting and protrusion(TAP) are commonly used. Both these techniques involve recrossing the struts of primary stent, failing which the flow in second branch which can be impaired and lead to catastrophic events. In this study, we describe a novel balloon embedded stenting technique which can be incorporated with traditional culotte or TAP technique and facilitates conversion to bail out crush in case of such an event. METHODS AND RESULTS: 28 patients who were treated with balloon embedded stenting for bifurcation lesions were included in the study. Angiographic and procedural success were achieved in all the patients. Primary stent could not be recrossed in 1 patient, who was successfully converted to bail out crush using the technique. There were no complications during the procedure. Mean fluoroscopy time and contrast volume was similar to that of conventional culotte and TAP. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that incorporation of balloon embedded stenting into traditional culotte or TAP technique is achievable and can facilitate conversion to bail out crush when required.